Steam reactivation of zeolite catalyst used in producing para-dichlorobenzene

ABSTRACT

As zeolite L is used as catalyst for the chlorination of benzene, chlorobenzene, ortho-dichlorobenzene, and/or meta-dichlorobenzene, its catalytic activity diminishes. Zeolite L which has been used for such chlorinations may be reactivated by contact with steam.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/373,965, filed June 30,1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,706.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Para-dichlorobenzene is frequently produced by chlorinating benzeneand/or chlorobenzene. The formation of para-dichlorobenzene isaccompanied by the formation of various by-products such asortho-dichlorobenzene, meta-dichlorobenzene, more highly chlorinatedbenzenes, and often some degredation products. In many instances oncethe desired amount of para-dichlorobenzene (usually, but not necessarilyclose to the maximum yield attainable) has been produced, thechlorination is terminated in order to conserve chlorinating agent andto maintain the production of undesirable higher chlorinated benzenes atacceptably low levels. It is usually found in these situations that theprincipal by-product is ortho-dichlorobenzene.

One known way to favor the production of para-dichlorobenzene whilereducing the coproduction of the less desired ortho-dichlorobenzene, isto conduct the chlorination in the presence of a catalytic amount ofzeolite L catalyst. Such chlorinations are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,724,269 and 4,777,305; in European Patent Application Publications No.0 118 851, 0 154 236, and 0 171 265; and in Huizinga et al, TetrahedronLetters, Volume 21, pages 3809-3812 (1980), the disclosures of whichare, in their entireties, incorporated herein by reference, includingespecially their descriptions of zeolite L catalysts, the making of suchcatalysts, and the use of such catalysts in the chlorination of benzeneand/or chlorobenzene. U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,789 discloses zeolite L, itspreparation and characteristics. D. W. Breck, Zeolite Molecular Sieves,pages 156 and 361, and L. Wilkosz, Przemys Chemiczny, Volume 51, No. 8,pages 524-527 (1972) discuss zeolite L and its characteristics. Thedisclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,789 and the cited pages of the Breckand Wilkosz publications are, in their entireties, incorporated hereinby reference.

A convenient ratio for characterizing the relative proportions ofpara-dichlorobenzene and ortho-dichlorobenzene in the organic feedstock,in organic intermediates, and in the organic reaction product is the"para/ortho ratio", often abbreviated as "P/O" or "P/O ratio", which isthe ratio obtained by dividing the moles of para-dichlorobenzene presentby the moles of ortho-dichlorobenzene present. Sometimes the "ortho/pararatio", often abbreviated as "O/P" or as "O/P ratio", which is theinverse of the P/O ratio, is used for characterization purposes.

While the P/O ratio is useful for monitoring relative proportions ofpara-dichlorobenzene and ortho-dichlorobenzene, it provides little or noinformation as to how far the chlorination has progressed. A convenientscale of reference which provides this information is the "x-value"which reflects the degree of chlorination of the benzene-based compoundsin the organic feedstock, in organic intermediates as the reactionprogresses, and in the organic reaction product. The x-value is thevalue of x in the empirical formula for a mixture of such compounds: C₆H_(6-x) Cl_(x). It may be calculated as follows: ##EQU1## where A=molesof benzene present:

B=moles of monochlorobenzene present;

C=moles of dichlorobenzene (all isomers) present;

D=moles of trichlorobenzene (all isomers) present;

E=moles of tetrachlorobenzene (all isomers) present;

F=moles of pentachlorobenzene present; and

G=moles of hexachlorobenzene present.

The x-value of the organic reaction product is greater than that of theorganic feedstock.

Although zeolite L favors high P/O ratios for organic intermediates andorganic reaction products, its effectiveness in this regard declineswith continued use. Thus under substantially similar reaction conditionsusing substantially similar organic feedstocks, the P/O ratio at a givenx-value is often lower for later chlorinations than it is for earlierchlorinations using the same zeolite L catalyst. Eventually thecatalytic effectiveness of the zeolite L becomes nil.

THE INVENTION

It has now been found that zeolite L which has previously been used ascatalyst for the catalytic chlorination of benzene and/or chlorobenzenemay be substantially reactivated by treatment with steam. While undersubstantially similar operating conditions the P/O ratio declines withcontinued use of the zeolite L catalyst, whether steam-treated oruntreated, the steam treatment does permit acceptably high P/O ratios tobe reestablished, thereby prolonging the useful life of the catalyst.

It has also been most surprisingly found that steam-treatment of virginzeolite L catalyst, that is, zeolite L catalyst that has not previouslybeen used for chlorination reactions, often permits higher P/O ratios tobe obtained early in the catalyst lifetime than when it is notsteam-treated. The reasons for this are not understood.

The above discussion has placed emphasis on the P/O ratio of the finalorganic reaction product where the chlorination has been terminated sothat the principal coproduced by-product is ortho-dichlorobenzene. Insome circumstances, however, it is desirable to permit the chlorinationreaction to continue in order to convert all or a portion of thecoproduced ortho-dichlorobenzene (and meta-dichlorobenzene, if any ispresent) to higher chlorinated benzenes. Since the presence of acatalytic amount of zeolite L during the chlorination ofortho-dichlorobenzene and/or meta-dichlorobenzene favors the formationof 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene vis-a-vis the other trichlorobenzene isomers,continued chlorination of benzene and/or chlorobenzene is sometimesdesirable when coproduced 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene is more desirable thancoproduced ortho-dichlorobenzene. The para-dichlorobenzene produced inthe earlier stages of chlorination remains largely unaffected during thecontinued chlorination, and so the P/O ratio increases as theortho-dichlorobenzene is consumed. Thus, the use of steam treatedzeolite L as catalyst is particularly beneficial where it is desired toat least approximately maximize the production of para-dichlorobenzeneas the principal product while obtaining 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene as theprincipal by-product.

Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention is a process forreactivating zeolite L which has previously been used as catalyst forthe catalytic chlorination of benzene, chlorobenzene, or a mixturethereof, the process comprising contacting the zeolite L with steam.

Another embodiment of the invention is a process comprising reactingbenzene, chlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof initially present in anorganic feedstock with chlorinating agent in the presence of reactivatedzeolite L to produce an organic reaction product having an x-valuegreater than that of the organic feedstock, wherein the reactivatedzeolite L is zeolite L which has previously been used as catalyst forthe catalytic chlorination of benzene, chlorobenzene, or a mixturethereof and which has thereafter been contacted with steam.

Zeolite L is a known crystalline zeolite as discussed above. Zeolite Lcontains exchangeable cations. The cations in any particular crystal ofzeolite L may be essentially the same or they may be different and invarying proportions. In general, the exchangeable cations are metalcations or cations, as for example, hydrogen and ammonium, which behavelike metal cations in that they may be replaced for other exchangeablecations without causing a substantial alteration of the basic crystalstructure of the zeolite. Most often the exchangeable metal cations aremonovalent, divalent, or trivalent, particularly those of Groups I, IIand III of the Periodic Table. Cations of many of the transition metals,lanthanides, and actinides may be used when desired. In the presentinvention, the exchangeable cations most commonly employed in thezeolite L are sodium, potassium, calcium and/or hydrogen, although othercations may be used when desired. Potassium zeolite L, in which most ofthe exchangeable cations are potassium cations, is preferred for use inthe present invention.

The organic feedstock for the reaction comprises benzene, chlorobenzene,or a mixture thereof. Other compounds may also be present. In most casesthe feedstock comprises at least about 10 percent by weight benzene,chlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof. Frequently the organic feedstockcomprises at least about 50 percent by weight benzene, chlorobenzene, ora mixture thereof. At least about 90 percent by weight of one of more ofthese compounds is preferred.

The chlorination reaction is generally conducted in a reaction mediumcomprising a liquid phase and a catalytic amount of the reactivatedzeolite L (nominally referred to as a "liquid phase reaction"). Thereaction however may be conducted in a reaction medium consisting of agas phase and a catalytic amount of the reactivated zeolite L (nominallyreferred to as a "gas phase reaction").

The reaction may be conducted batchwise, continuously, semi-batchwise,or semi-continuously. Continuous reactions in which chlorinating agentand feedstock are continuously introduced to a reactor containing thereactivated zeolite L and in which reaction product is continuouslyremoved from the reactor, are preferred. Semi-batchwise reactions,especially those in which chlorinating agent is added continuously orintermittently to a batch of the feedstock, are often employed.Semi-continuous reactions in which one of the reactants is addedcontinuously to a reactor containing the reactivated zeolite L while theother reactant is added intermittently, may be used. Strictly batchwisereactions are usually employed only when the chlorinating agent eitherproduces molecular chlorine slowly or reacts slowly with benzene,chlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof under the conditions of thereaction. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of extrinsicdiluent or no extrinsic diluent may be used. In the semi-batchwisereaction method, the weight ratio of reactivated zeolite L to thebenzene, chlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof initially present may varywidely. In most cases, however, the weight ratio is in the range of fromabout 0.1:100 to about 20:100. Often the weight ratio is in the rangefrom about 1:100 to about 15:100. A weight ratio in the range of fromabout 2:100 to about 10:100 is preferred.

Irrespective of the type of reaction, the chlorinating agent may be anymaterial which will chlorinate, either directly or indirectly, benzene,chlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof. The chlorination agents themselvesare well known. Examples of chlorinating agents include molecularchlorine, sulfuryl chloride, sulfur monochloride, N-chlorosuccinimide,phosphorous pentachloride, and chloride monoxide. The preferredchlorinating agent is molecular chlorine.

In many cases only a portion of the chlorine content of the chlorinatingagent is available for the desired chlorination. This may be due to avariety of causes. Undesired side reactions, for example, may sometimesconsume a portion of the chlorine. Often, the nature of the reactionitself is such that, even ideally, only a portion of the chlorinecontent of the chlorinating agent is available for chlorination. As anexample of the latter situation, the reaction of one mole of elementalmolecular chlorine with one mole of chlorobenzene results in theevolution of one mole of hydrogen chloride. The evolved hydrogenchloride is often recovered and used to produce other useful materials.It may be seen that the availability of chlorine atoms for desiredchlorination is a factor to be considered in choosing relativeproportions of the chlorinating agent and the feedstock to be used inconducting the reaction. Other factors to be considered include thex-value of the feedstock and the x-value to be achieved in the organicreaction product. In general, sufficient chlorinating agent should beintroduced to the reaction to accomplish the desired degree ofchlorination of the feedstock.

The temperatures at which the reaction is conducted are similarlysubject to wide variation but ordinarily they are in the range of fromabout 40° C. to about 200° C. In many cases the temperatures are in therange of from about 70° C. to about 130° C. From about 90° C. to about110° C. is preferred.

The pressures at which the reaction is conducted may also be variedwidely. Ambient atmospheric pressure or slightly higher is generallyemployed although greater or lesser pressures may be used. In mostcases, the pressure is in the range of from about 0 to 700 kilopascals,gauge. Frequently, the pressure is in the range of from about 0 to about350 kilopascals, gauge.

The para-dichlorobenzene and the various by-products may be recoveredfrom the organic reaction product by any of the various techniques knownto the art.

The steam used to contact the zeolite L during reactivation may be wetsaturated steam, dry saturated steam, or superheated steam.

The pressure of the steam with which the zeolite L is contacted may varywidely, but usually it is in the range of from about 0 to about 1500kilopascals, gauge. Generally the steam pressure is above ambientatmospheric pressure. In most cases, the steam pressure is at leastabout 130 kilopascals, gauge. Often the steam pressure is in the rangeof from about 130 to about 1100 kilopascals, gauge. From about 480 toabout 690 kilopascals, gauge, is preferred.

The temperature of the steam with which the zeolite L is contacted mayalso vary widely. In most cases the temperature of the steam is in therange of from about 100° C. to about 300° C., although highertemperatures which do not substantially adversely affect the zeolite Lor its performance may be used. Frequently the temperature is in therange of from about 100° C. to about 200° C. Temperatures in the rangeof from about 150° C. to about 170° C. are preferred.

The time for which the zeolite L catalyst is contacted with steam mayvary widely and depends upon such factors as the steam pressure, theamount of catalyst being steam treated, catalyst history (the period forwhich it was used since the last steam treatment, the conditions of theprevious steam treatment, the number and length of previous cycles ofuse and steam treatment, etc.), and the manner in which the catalyst iscontacted with the steam. The minimum time of steam treatment is lowsince steam treatment for even a minimal time would be expected toaccomplish at least a minimal improvement in subsequent catalystperformance. The maximum time is not limited by theory but by practicalconvenience. When desired, thermogravimetric analysis and/or X-rayanalysis may be used to ascertain the point where maximum removal ofheavies has been achieved, and hence the point where regeneration hasbeen completed. Usually the zeolite L catalyst is contacted with steamfor at least about one hour. Frequently it is contacted with steam forat least about 3 hours. In many cases the period for which the zeolite Lcatalyst is contacted with steam is in the range of from about 1 hour toabout 48 hours. Often the period is in the range of from about 3 toabout 24 hours. Preferably the period is in the range of from about 5 toabout 12 hours. The time period of steam treatment may be for a single,continuous steam treatment or it may be the sum of intermittent periodsof steam treatment.

While the steam may be simply injected into a container containing thezeolite catalyst in the absence of a vapor purge from the container, itis preferred to pass steam through the catalyst since this manner ofsteam treatment is more effective in reactivating the catalyst.

Upon completion of the steam treatment the zeolite L catalyst ispreferably substantially dried. Although damp or somewhat wet zeolite Lcatalyst may be used in the chlorination of benzene and/orchlorobenzenes, this mode of operation is not preferred since hydrogenchloride in the presence of sizable amounts of water or water vapor isoften corrosive to equipment. Zeolite L catalyst saturated with water isinactive.

Drying may be accomplished by a wide variety of techniques which arethemselves known to the art. Although drying is usually accomplished atabout ambient atmospheric pressure, lower or higher pressures may beused as desired. Similarly, ambient temperatures may be employed orhigher temperatures may be used to accelerate water and/or water vaporremoval. Temperatures in the range of from about 90° C. to about 200° C.are especially useful. A purge of a substantially non-reactive gas (suchas nitrogen, argon, helium, etc.) may be used when desired. The dryingtime may vary widely. Preferably the steam treated zeolite L catalyst issubstantially dried such that any water or water vapor remaining (ifany) is trivial or inconsequential to the subsequent chlorinationreaction. Drying times in the range of from about 1 to 24 hours arefrequently employed. From about 6 to about 18 hours are often used.Preferably drying is accomplished using a nitrogen purge at about 100°C. for from about 6 to about 18 hours.

Although the above description is primarily in respect of chlorinatingan organic feedstock comprising benzenes and/or chlorobenzene, it isexpected that an organic feedstock comprising ortho-dichlorobenzeneand/or meta-dichlorobenzene (irrespective of whether or not benzeneand/or chlorobenzene is present) may be chlorinated in the presence ofregenerated zeolite L to produce 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene wherein theregenerated zeolite L is zeolite L which has previously been used ascatalyst for the catalytic chlorination of ortho-dichlorobenzene and/ormeta-dichlorobenzene and which has thereafter been contacted with steam.It is further expected that steam treatment will enhance the productionof 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene in comparison to the other isomers oftrichlorobenzene produced. The chlorination conditions, proportions ofsteam treated zeolite L employed, and proportions of chlorinating agentsused discussed above are satisfactory for the chlorination ofortho-dichlorobenzene and/or meta-dichlorobenzene. The above discussionin respect of the steam treatment of zeolite L and drying is alsosatisfactory. The reaction of benzene, chlorobenzene,meta-dichlorobenzene, ortho-dichlorobenzene, or a mixture of two or morethereof with chlorinating agent in the presence of a catalytic amount ofzeolite L to produce 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene is discussed more fully inU.S. Pat. No. 4,835,327, the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

Accordingly, another embodiment of the invention is a process forregenerating zeolite L which has previously been used as catalyst forthe catalytic chlorination of ortho-dichlorobenzene,meta-dichlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof, the process comprisingcontacting the zeolite L with steam.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is a process comprising reactingortho-dichlorobenzene, meta-dichlorobenzene, or a mixture thereofinitially present in an organic feedstock with chlorinating agent in thepresence of regenerated zeolite L to produce an organic reaction producthaving an x-value greater than that of the organic feedstock, whereinthe regenerated zeolite L is zeolite L which has previously been used ascatalyst for the catalytic chlorination of ortho-dichlorobenzene,meta-dichlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof and which has thereafter beencontacted with steam.

The invention is further described in conjunction with the followingexamples which are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting,and in which all parts are parts by weight and all percentages arepercentages by weight unless otherwise specified.

In the Examples which follow, the reactor used for the continuouschlorination of monochlorobenzene and/or benzene comprised a pair ofglass jacketed columns connected in series by a glass tee. Each columncomprised an inner tube having a diameter of 25 millimeters and a lengthof 300 millimeters. Glass tees were attached to the top and bottom ofthe reactor. The bottom of the reactor was equipped with apoly(tetrafluoroethylene) bottom drip adapter. The temperature of thereactor jacket was controlled with a recirculating oil bath. Columntemperature was monitored using a thermocouple connected to a digitaltemperature read-out. The thermocouple sat in an Incoloy® nickel alloythermowell having an outside diameter of 6.35 millimeters. The zeolite Lcatalyst was supported on poly(tetrafluoroethylene) lab matting having6.35 millimeter mesh openings. The matting was rolled tightly beforebeing placed into the reactor. Organic reaction liquid from a surge potwas recirculated using a pump. After leaving the pump, the reactionliquid passed through a heat exchanger and then entered the bottom ofthe reactor. After passing through the reactor, the reaction liquid wasremoved from the top of the reactor and forwarded to the surge pot. Inorder to make flow velocity measurements, liquid leaving the top of thereactor could be diverted to a 250 milliliter addition funnel mountedatop the surge pot. Diversion was accomplished using a 9 millimeterthree-way stopcock. One neck of the surge pot was used as an inlet forliquid received from the reactor, a second neck was fitted with aClaisen adapter atop which was the flow velocity measuring funnel and aloop sampling port, and a third neck was used as an outlet for gases.Gases leaving the surge pot through the third neck passed through acondenser maintained at about 30° C. Condensate was returned to thesurge pot while uncondensed gases were passed through a 10 percentaqueous sodium hydroxide solution in a 19 liter carboy and then vented.Benzene was added to the reaction liquid recirculation loop through atee located between the surge pot and the pump. Chlorine was introducedto the recirculating liquid through a tee located between the heatexchanger and the bottom of the reactor, and through the tee located atthe midpoint of the reactor. The amounts of chlorine introduced throughthese tees were approximately equal. Overflow from the surge pot wasremoved though an outlet, passed through a liquid U-seal, and collectedin a 500 milliliter receiver as product. In order to avoid entry oflight, the entire system was wrapped with foil before chlorination wasbegun.

Zeolite L catalyst was charged to the reactor, half in each column.Monochlorobenzene was charged to the surge pot and the recirculationpump was started. Usually the recirculation pump was adjusted to providea flow rate of about 450 milliliters/minute. The reactor was thenbrought up to about 10 Celsius degrees below the desired reactiontemperature with nitrogen purging through the system. Chlorineintroduction was then begun and brought to the desired rate. Loopsamples were taken every two hours until the para-dichlorobenzeneconcentration reached 40 mole percent, at which time the introduction ofbenzene was begun and brought to the desired rate. Both loop andoverflow samples were then taken at about 3-hour intervals. Operatingtimes given in the Examples are referenced to the beginning of chlorineintroduction.

Gas chromatographic analyses were performed on a Varian® 3700chromatograph with a flame ionization detector using a 3.175 millimeterdiameter column 183 centimeters long of 3% SP-1000 stationary phase on100/120 Supelcoport support (Supelco Inc.). The injection porttemperature was set at 270° C. and the detector temperature was set at320° C. Analyses were made in a programmable temperature mode with aninitial temperature of 200° C. held for 12 minutes. The temperature wasthen increased at a programming rate of 6 Celsius degrees per minute.

The catalyst was originally prepared by the Zeochem subsidiary of UnitedCatalysts, Inc. and was designated #L-2520. This catalyst, whichcomprised 80 percent by weight ELZ-L zeolite L powder from Union CarbideCorporation, 15 percent by weight L-90 fumed silica from CabotCorporation, and 5 weight percent solids from Ludox® colloidal sol fromE.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., was in the form of 3.175 millimeterdiameter extrudates about 6 to about 10 millimeters long. Physicalcharacteristics of the catalyst included a crush strength of 53.4Newtons and a bulk density of 0.61 g/cm³.

Reactivation of catalyst was accomplished by placing the used catalystinto one or two sections of a three section jacketed nickel reactor,connecting this nickel reactor at the top to apoly(tetrafluoroethylene)-lined pipe through which steam at a pressureof 483 kilopascals, gauge, entered the reactor and purged through thecatalyst for 6 hours. Water, steam, and evolved materials were removedfrom the bottom of the reactor during this period. Drying of thereactivated catalyst was accomplished in the same nickel reactor.Overnight, nitrogen was introduced to the top of the reactor through ashort length of poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-lined pipe, purged through thecatalyst, and removed from the bottom of the reactor. During thenitrogen purge, steam at a pressure of 241 kilopascals, gauge, wasapplied to the jackets of the nickel reactor in order to heat thenitrogen and the catalyst and to thereby affect quicker catalyst drying.

The following is a key to abbreviations used in the Examples:

MCB=Monochlorobenzene

m-DCB=meta-Dichlorobenzene

p-DCB=para-Dichlorobenzene

o-DCB=ortho-Dichlorobenzene

TCB's=Trichlorobenzenes (all isomers)

Heavies=Polychlorinated cyclohexanes, polychlorinated cyclohexenes,and/or polychlorinated cyclohexadienes

Cumulative Cl₂ Utilization=100×(moles of chlorine atoms on the organicproduct-moles of chlorine atoms on the organic feedstock)/(total molesof Cl₂ fed)

EXAMPLE I

One hundred forty-five grams of deactivated zeolite L extrudates fromseveral previous runs were mixed together and contacted with steam anddried according to the general procedure described above. The resultingdry reactivated zeolite L catalyst was charged to the chlorinationreactor. Using the general procedure described above, the apparatus wascharged with 10.311 moles of monochlorobenzene and then started up andoperated at an average temperature of 90° C. while feeding 0.97 moles ofchlorine per hour. After 8 hours benzene was introduced at an averagerate of 0.51 moles/hour. The apparatus was operated continuously for 68hours. Samples of product then being produced, that is, overflow fromthe surge pot, were collected after 15, 40, and 68 hours of operation.The compositions of these samples are summarized in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Sample Compositions                                                                      Operating Time                                                                15 hrs    40 hrs  68 hrs                                           ______________________________________                                        Benzene, mole %                                                                            4.74        4.47    4.09                                         MCB, mole %  39.10       30.02   28.80                                        m-DCB, mole %                                                                              0.55        0.64    0.65                                         p-DCB, mole %                                                                              48.14       55.37   55.40                                        o-DCB, mole %                                                                              6.98        8.75    9.21                                         TCB's, mole %                                                                              0.32        0.47    0.58                                         Heavies, mole %                                                                            0.15        0.22    0.29                                         x-value      1.52        1.61    1.63                                         P/O Ratio    6.90        6.33    6.02                                         Cumulative Cl.sub.2                                                                        70.02       73.70   73.50                                        Utilization, %                                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE II

One hundred ten grams of the zeolite L extrudates removed from theapparatus following Example I were contacted with steam and driedaccording to the general procedure described above. The resulting dryreactivated zeolite L catalyst was charged to the chlorination reactor.Using the general procedure described above, the apparatus was chargedwith 10.377 moles of monochlorobenzene and then started up and operatedat an average temperature of 90° C. while feeding 0.726 moles ofchlorine per hour. After 9 hours benzene was introduced at an averagerate of 0.38 moles/hour. The apparatus was operated continuously for 91hours. Samples of product then being produced were collected after 16,41, 68, and 91 hours of operation. The compositions of these samples aresummarized in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Sample Compositions                                                                       Operating Time                                                                16 hrs                                                                              41 hrs    68 hrs  91 hrs                                    ______________________________________                                        Benzene, mole %                                                                             3.56    4.32      4.56  4.36                                    MCB, mole %   40.33   34.21     36.40 26.73                                   m-DCB, mole % 0.50    0.53      0.54  0.58                                    p-DCB, mole % 49.61   53.91     51.11 59.34                                   o-DCB, mole % 5.87    6.77      7.07  8.59                                    TCB's, mole % 0.11    0.21      0.27  0.37                                    Heavies, mole %                                                                             0.02    0.06      0.06  0.06                                    x-value       1.53    1.57      1.55  1.65                                    P/O Ratio     8.45    7.96      7.23  6.91                                    Cumulative Cl.sub.2                                                                         75.26   75.45     74.64 73.68                                   Utilization, %                                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE III

Ninety-one grams of the zeolite L extrudates removed from the apparatusfollowing Example II were contacted with steam and dried according tothe general procedure described above. The resulting dry reactivatedzeolite L catalyst was charged to the chlorination reactor. Using thegeneral procedure described above, the apparatus was charged with 10.898moles of monochlorobenzene and then started up and operated at anaverage temperature of 90° C. while feeding 0.602 moles of chlorine perhour. After 10 hours benzene was introduced at an average rate of 0.39moles/hour. The apparatus was operated continuously for 105 hours.Samples of product then being produced were collected after 16, 41, 68,and 92 hours of operation. The compositions of these samples aresummarized in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        Sample Compositions                                                                       Operating Time                                                                16 hrs                                                                              41 hrs    68 hrs  92 hrs                                    ______________________________________                                        Benzene, mole %                                                                             4.91    4.10      5.13  4.63                                    MCB, mole %   39.80   36.30     36.64 28.55                                   m-DCB, mole % 0.45    0.49      0.49  0.55                                    p-DCB, mole % 48.70   51.83     49.94 56.43                                   o-DCB, mole % 6.03    7.07      7.50  9.26                                    TCB's, mole % 0.11    0.19      0.27  0.53                                    Heavies, mole %                                                                             0.00    0.01      0.03  0.05                                    x-value       1.50    1.56      1.53  1.63                                    P/O Ratio     8.08    7.33      6.66  6.09                                    Cumulative Cl.sub.2                                                                         84.76   79.92     80.74 68.77                                   Utilization, %                                                                ______________________________________                                    

Examples I, II, and III show that although the P/O Ratio decreases aszeolite L catalyst is used, nevertheless the zeolite L catalyst may bereactivated by the steam treatment of the invention. The data of theseExamples also show that the steam treatment improves the chlorineutilization.

Although the present invention has been described with reference tospecific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended thatsuch details should be regarded as limitations upon the scope of theinvention except insofar as they are included in the accompaning claims.

I claim:
 1. A process for reactivating zeolite L which has previouslybeen used as catalyst for the catalytic chlorination of benzene,chlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof, said process comprising contactingsaid zeolite L with steam.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein thepressure of said steam is above ambient atmospheric pressure.
 3. Theprocess of claim 1 wherein the pressure of said steam is at least about130 kilopascals, gauge.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein the pressureof said steam is in the range of from about 130 to about 1100kilopascals, gauge.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein said zeolite L iscontacted with said steam for at least one hour.
 6. The process of claim1 wherein said zeolite L is contacted with said steam for a period inthe range of from about 3 hours to about 24 hours.
 7. A process forregenerating zeolite L which has previously been used as catalyst forthe catalytic chlorination of ortho-dichlorobenzene,meta-dichlorobenzene, or a mixture thereof, said process comprisingcontacting said zeolite L with steam.
 8. The process of claim 7 whereinthe pressure of said steam is above ambient atmospheric pressure.
 9. Theprocess of claim 7 wherein the pressure of said steam is at least about130 kilopascals, gauge.
 10. The process of claim 7 wherein the pressureof said steam is in the range of from about 130 to about 1100kilopascals, gauge.
 11. The process of claim 7 wherein said zeolite L iscontacted with said steam for at least one hour.
 12. The process ofclaim 7 wherein said zeolite L is contacted with said steam for a periodin the range of from about 3 hours to about 24 hours.